Living By Chemistry

SECOND EDITION

Unit 1: ALCHEMY
Matter, Atomic Structure, and Bonding
Lesson 27: Electrons on the
Move
Electroplating Metals
ChemCatalyst
1. What is the charge on the
copper ions in this copper
chloride compound?

2. How do you think we

could get solid copper
from a sample of copper
(II) sulfate, CuSO4? Copper and chlorine atoms

combine to form copper (II)

chloride.
Key Question
How can you extract an element from a
compound?
You will be able to:
• assemble an electroplating apparatus
• explain how to extract elemental metal from an
ionic compound through electroplating
Prepare for the Lab
Work in pairs. Wear safety goggles at all times.
The solution contains acid, which is corrosive.
Before handling the nickel strip, rinse it with
water.
Discussion Notes
It is possible to transform metal cations in solution
into neutral metal atoms, using electricity.
Discussion Notes (cont.)
Aqueous copper (II) sulfate, CuSO4(aq), is really
copper cations, Cu2+, and sulfate anions, SO42–.

Before connecting to the

battery
Discussion Notes (cont.)
Once the battery is hooked up, one nickel strip has
a positive charge, and the other has a negative
charge.

After connecting to the battery

Discussion Notes (cont.)
Many elements are found in nature only in
combination with other atoms in compounds.

While you cannot make gold by moving electrons,

you can plate thin layers of gold onto jewelry.
Wrap Up
How can you extract an element from a
compound?
• Atoms are not destroyed when they combine to
form compounds. Matter is conserved.
• Ions are simply atoms or groups of atoms with
charges on them because they either are
missing electrons or have extra electrons.
• Elements can be extracted from ionic
compounds by moving electrons between
atoms.
Check-In
1. What is required to transform CuCl2(aq) into
Cu(s)?

2. What is required to transform CuCl2(aq) into

Au(s)?